Dash-Door Panel Gap Survey

[vwdmc16]

The gap and fitment of the Door panel to dash knee pad on my car is atrocious, the vent ducting on the passenger side doesnt even line up. I plan on filling this gap up before I reupholster them one day. But this got me thinking, are all cars this bad? Or is mine just a victim of shrinkage and poor fitting.


Please Post pics of your front door panel fitment. Prize to one one with the worst fitment.:cheers1:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/vwdmc16/dmc/20130503_190944_zps11237014.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/vwdmc16/dmc/20130503_190929_zps784f85ec.jpg

[WelmoedJ]

Move the kneepad closer to the door.
On most car there is more space between kneepad and door.
The kneepads don't need to be tightly to the center console side.

[vwdmc16]

I could move the passenger over some but the fitment at the console end it perfect, Plus the gap on the right isnt even top to bottom. There is about 3/4" space on top and only 1/8" at the bottom so really 1/8" inch is all I could move the knee pad. These parts just dont match.

Does anyone else has this issue?

[WelmoedJ]

As the cars were hand-built on an automatic system, there may be variations in the outcome.
I've seen worse and better alignments too.

On a previous car (#02572) they used washers to improve alignment.
Your driver's side door-side kneepad is indeed out of alignment.
Could be that the instruments panel is not in the correct position (most often due to the mounts on the panel).

In some cases the mounting holes need enlarging to accomodate a better position and alignment.
The first car needed such drilling/enlarging/stretching because the glove box needed the metal strip to allow proper closing of the lid.

You probably will have to adjust the mounting holes in the body to make the kneepads fit more closely and for better alignment.